NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE WEEK: A lakefront roundup

Photos by TYLER WILSON
An example of expensive waterfront property in the area.

Photo by TYLER WILSON

Photos by TYLER WILSON
An example of expensive waterfront property in the area.

Photo by TYLER WILSON

The vast majority of us common folks wonít be buying waterfront property anytime soon. Sure, inheritance and lotteries are possibilities, and the most mechanically minded might find just the right fixer upper project worth their time.

In a strong real estate market, the assumption is most middle income families canít afford waterfront homes. But what if? The only way to know for sure is to investigate the current options. It all seems too expensive to me, but Iím a freelance writer. Chances are good you probably get paid more than me.

Lake Coeur díAlene

Thereís a listing in the Fort Grounds area directly on the water that any visitor to Coeur díAlene City Park and City Beach has probably noticed recently. Itís a gorgeous and huge new townhouse, and if you like being at the center of Vacation Land, North Idaho, then itís arguably the best thing on the market. Listing price? More than $1.8 million. So moving onÖ

Leaving town a bit, a two-bedroom, 2,200-square-foot home just above Coeur díAlene Lake Drive that includes a private dock comes in at $725,000. Itís a steal compared to some of the prices of larger, newer homes a bit further up the hill.

Head south to Kidd Island Bay, and a few more options come to light. A three-bedroom 1962-built home with just under 800 square feet comes in at just under $300,000. It includes a private beach, docks and a new deck with filtered lake views. A little tight for a family of six, but we could make it work.

Keep going south and the next cheapest is a 1,500-square-foot home with secondary waterfront views at just under $245,000. Secondary, phooey. We only dream in primary!

The charming town of Harrison offers a few affordable lake view options, and that shoppe in town boasts some delicious ice cream, But letís not get distracted and continue the search for cheap waterfront.

Technically the winner for cheapest on the active listings goes to a 1,200-square-foot home at the southern tip of the lake on Rocky Point. Itís listed as secondary waterfront though, but it comes with a private boat house, so letís count it. Price: $99,500. The commute could be tough.

Hayden Lake

Hoo boy, this got expensive quick. Prices just for waterfront land seem to bottom out in the low $200,000s. The cheapest active waterfront house is a two-bedroom, almost 2,200-square-foot home sitting on the north side of the lake for about $498,000. There are a few pretty nice larger homes on the water running up and down the $500,000s, then it goes up from there, understandably. Check out some of the multi-million dollar homes and start thinking about how to ask Ben Affleck for a low-interest loan. Why Ben Affleck? Well, why not Ben Affleck?

Hauser Lake

This column space recently featured Hauser, which feels secluded but is closer to the main stretch of Coeur díAlene and Post Falls than most think. It still offers a couple of more reasonable options, the best being a three-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot spot on the water and includes a private beach and dock. Itís priced at $425,000.

Newman Lake

Weíre not talking about big places here, but waterfront affordability actually exists on Newman Lake. Thereís a three-bedroom, 820-square-foot home that sits practically on the water listed for under $260,000. Some slightly larger homes on the water clock in at the $290-300K range. You just have to be OK with *shudders* living in Washington state. Gasp!

Know of a great deal in North Idaho lakefront? Let us know what we missed, and (maybe) we can share the finds in a future column. Email Tyler Wilson at twilson@cdapress.com about waterfront and more neighborhoods and developments to feature in Neighborhood of the Week.

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Real Estate Agents, take advantage of Neighborhood of the Week by sending in your suggestions for featured areas, including sites outside the normal confines of Coeur díAlene, Post Falls and Hayden.

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